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Unless you’ve been completely out of the loop, you’re likely aware of the rivalry between Eiichiro Oda’sOne Pieceand Masashi Kishimoto’sNarutofans.One PieceandNarutoare two of the most iconic franchises in anime history. While some fans claimOne Pieceis top tier, others have supportedNarutosince day one.
Amidst all the fan rivalry, the enigmatic and multifaceted villains that challenge the protagonists at every turn are central to the charm of these two series. InOne Piece, villains represent complex ideologies and power struggles, while inNaruto, their motivations, traumas, and redemption arcs shape the ninjas’ destinies.
While some fans claimNarutohas superior villains toOne Piece, there’s oneNarutovillain whose redemption inBoruto, following their immoral acts in the past, left many fans disgusted.
One ofNaruto’smost hated villains receives unlikely redemption inBoruto
Over the years,Narutofans have not only experienced the heartbreaking deaths of beloved characters but also explored the darker aspects of the ninja world in depth. During the Fourth Shinobi World War inNaruto: Shippuden, the great shinobi nations united for the first time to fight the Akatsuki, now led by Obito.
Despite their alliance, the battle was heavily tilted in the Akatsuki’s favor due to Kabuto Yakushi’s mastery of the Impure World Reincarnation technique, which revived powerful shinobi at the height of their abilities, many of whom came back at the peak of their abilities or with newly granted boons likeSharingan and Rinneganimplants.
Kabuto was a main enemy in the Fourth Great Ninja War, even surpassing his former master. Nevertheless, Kabuto is like that fly that won’t go away throughout the entireNarutoseries; he continues to find ways to meddle in theShinobi world and cause chaos.
Kabuto Yakushi’s intellect is characterized by his unmatched medical prowess and strategic genius. He perfected advanced ninja medical arts at an early age and outgrew the ability of most veterans of those arts.
Combining his analytical thinking and strategic foresight, Kabuto Yakushi is one of the brightestNarutocharacters.
Kabuto’s self-proclaimed perfection of Impure World Reincarnation, which allows him to summon dozens of individuals at once, something not even Tobirama Senju could accomplish, despite being the one to create it.
After Orochimaru’s death, Kabuto took over his legacy, gaining new powers that shaped the course of the Fourth Shinobi World War in pursuit of Sasuke. Kabuto’s actions in the Fourth Ninja War led to the massacre of thousands of shinobi, leaving fans with a lasting hatred for him, even after the series ended.
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Despite his obvious misdeeds and horrid crimes, Kabuto was eventually redeemed for his actions. After the war, Kabuto returns to the orphanage where he was raised—his long-forgotten true home—and takes on the role of a caretaker.
With all the heinous crimes under his belt, fans question the decision to redeem this controversial character, especially since it makes his actions seem quite inconsequential. Masashi Kishimoto brought redemption arcs to many iconic villains in theBorutosequel.
However, fans still struggle to accept how Kabuto, responsible for the deaths of thousands of shinobi, received a peaceful ending. At the same time, beloved characters like Itachi andJiraiyafaced heartbreaking fates that left the fandom in tears.
Naruto VS Sasuke: The epic showdown Kishimoto planned ahead of the conclusion
Although the Fourth Great Ninja War was the biggest highlight of the Shippuden series, the mangaka planned the anime’s ending even before the anime production began.
The epic rivalry betweenNarutoand Sasuke back when they were just kids captivated many fans throughout the series. Kishimoto once revealed that he desired to conclude the series with anepic showdown between the most belovedcharacters.
‘Kishimoto whitewashed them’: Sasuke Becoming the Shadow Hokage Isn’t the Worst Crime in Naruto When Mass Murderers Were Pardoned by Konoha
The mangaka always wanted his audience to have a cinematic experience, and the anime’s epilogue beautifully showcased the two rivals’ contrasting ideologies and beliefs.
Narutois available to stream on Crunchyroll
Mehul Rolta
Articles Published :510
Mehul Rolta is a seasoned journalist with over 3 years in esports and soccer journalism. Transitioning to anime writing at Fandom Wire, Mehul shares his lifelong passion for anime about integrates professionalism. Dedicated to connecting the world of anime globally, Mehul shares thoughts and insights, communicating personal passion with professional insight.
